The government introduced the apprenticeship levy in 2017 as part of reforms to improve apprenticeship quality and employer engagement. The levy is paid by employers with a pay bill of over £3 million per year. It is paid into a digital account which employers can access as funding to pay for apprenticeships.
Learning and Work Institute was commissioned by the Department for Education to conduct research to explore:
- Levy-paying employers spending decisions;
- How employers and providers account for the prior learning of apprentices.
This qualitative study involved interviews with employers, training providers and apprentices.
The evidence will help to inform potential policy responses, to ensure high quality training for apprentices and value for money in the system
20 January 2026
Labour market dashboard
Every month, Learning and Work Institute produces detailed and timely analysis of the latest labour market statistics from ONS. Explore our interactive charts.
24 December 2025
Falling short: Understanding further falls in employer training
This briefing looks at how employer investment in training continues to fall – now down 36% per employee since 2005 – and argues that we must turn this around to improve economic growth.
22 December 2025
From confusion to clarity: rethinking England’s 670 occupational standards
L&W’s Stephen Evans and Pearson’s Donna Ford-Clarke reflect on findings from our recent research on England’s occupational standards – of which there are now more than double the number in countries like Germany and Switzerland.
27 November 2025
Responding to the full year apprenticeships data release
Learning and Work Institute’s Deputy Head of Research Dr Corin Egglestone responds to the full year apprenticeships data released on 27 November 2025.
18 November 2025
Responding to higher technical skills needs
Supported by Gatsby Charitable Foundation, this report explores employer and employee decision making about training and the development of higher technical skills.
7 November 2025
No train no gain
This research, supported by Multiverse, finds that access to training is a boon for people’s pay and careers. The training dividend is greatest for those on the lower rungs of the occupational ladder, helping them go further, faster.
7 November 2025
Working class people paid more when they get training from their employer
Experts are calling on the Government to do more to get employers investing in training, as research reveals it’s a “boon for people’s pay and careers” – particularly for working class people.
5 November 2025
Investing in skills: International policy insights for the UK
This report is the first in a series of three publications supported by the Nuffield Foundation that present the findings from multi-year research into employer investment in upskilling and reskilling in a changing economy.
5 November 2025
Responding to the final report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review
Learning and Work Institute’s Chief Executive Stephen Evans responds to the final report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review.
